The story behind Planterra’s Love Bug
Planterra’s Love Bug equipped with wedding decor! Photo by JLB Photography
The VW perched on Planterra’s front lawn has become somewhat of a local landmark. In fact, the foliage covered car has sparked much curiosity over the years.
Since Planterra became a popular garden wedding destination, the topiary has earned its name as a true Love Bug.
We asked Planterra’s founder Larry Pliska to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the topiary and its origin. Here’s what he had to say:
Is it a real car?
We get this question all the time. It is not an actual car frame. The car is constructed of a traditional topiary wire frame shaped like the iconic Beetle, including its fine auto body contours, which gives the car its realistic shape.
What was the car made for?
Volkswagen of America contracted Planterra to build the topiary for the 1998 North American Detroit Auto Show. That year, VW introduced the re-designed Beetle.
Our plant and flower covered version of the classic Beetle was a nod to the car’s flower-power history. In the 1960s, VW offered a flower vase as an optional accessory in its Beetles, called the “blumenvasen.” The flower vase was considered a practical feature, as cars and freeways reeked of diesel and unleaded fuel back then.
How did the Love Bug end-up on Planterra’s lawn?
When VW moved its North American Headquarters from Michigan to Virginia in 2007, I got the call asking, “Would you like your Bug back?”
The topiary was on display in VW’s North American museum, which at the time was attached to the company’s corporate offices in Auburn Hills, Michigan. VW didn’t have the space to store it and didn’t want to move the car to the new HQ in Herndon, near Washington, DC.
Being a flower child of the 1960s myself, I of course said yes. We didn’t have the storage space either, so being true to my Detroit roots, I just propped it up on cement blocks.
At first, I thought we’d keep it up there for a season, but visitors and people in the neighborhood liked it, so we decided to make the car a permanent feature.
How is the car constructed?
The topiary is constructed of a traditional wire frame with chicken wire mesh. This method has been used to train vining plants to create topiary forms for a few centuries.
What kind of plants cover the bug?
The planting has changed over the years but during that time we have always used replica plants. Replica is what we call artificial plants in the interior landscaping trade. We’ve considered blending-in live ivies and may do so in the future.
Can I rent the car?
The car is not for rent. Other than moving it for repairs, we’ve only taken it out for a spin once, and that was for the Woodward Dream Cruise in 2008.
Can I hire Planterra to make a custom topiary?
Yes. Our plant company, Planterra Interior Landscaping, has a dedicated creative department with designers who work with clients to design and build custom replica topiaries, living walls, and even holiday props.
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